FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 April 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 232 consumer complaints on 4 April 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 373 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 41 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 93 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 232
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (93)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (32)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 April 2021, the 232 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 179 cities across 41 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 32 | 13.8% |
| Texas | 21 | 9.1% |
| Maryland | 16 | 6.9% |
| Kentucky | 13 | 5.6% |
| Florida | 10 | 4.3% |
| New York | 10 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 8 | 3.4% |
| Tennessee | 8 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 8 | 3.4% |
| Kansas | 7 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 99 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 133 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 133 | 57.3% |
| Internet | 62 | 26.7% |
| TV | 28 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.9% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 93 | 69.9% |
| Billing | 11 | 8.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 6.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 23 | 37.1% |
| Billing | 18 | 29.0% |
| Speed | 12 | 19.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
28 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 39.3% |
| Billing | 8 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 6 | 21.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 3.6% |
Loud Commercials and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.